Green Energy

Green Power Alternatives – Sustainable Energy for the Future

We all know that fossil fuels will not last forever. And prices are rising faster than most families can afford to budget for. Not only that, but their emissions pollute the air. If we care about our planet and the future or our children and grandchildren, we need to cut back on our use of fossil fuels and look into alternative sources of power. Green power is any source of energy that is renewable and sustainable, such as wind, water, or the sun. These sources will never deplete. If used responsibly, we can have the power we need for moderate modern convenience without harming the environment.

The wind, the sun, water, and biomass are all sources of green power that it would behoove us to learn more about. Read further to learn more about each one.

Wind Power

Windmills are older than Don Quixote, but contemporary wind turbines are somewhat different than the scenic variety that come to mind when most people think of windmills. Tall metal towers topped with enormous blades as big as football fields, turbines can stand alone for residential use or be grouped in wind farms with many turbines to power entire cities. More and more of these are cropping up around the United States, as they are a powerful producer of energy but not pollutants.

Solar Power

The sun is an excellent source of renewable energy. Residential consumers can have access to the sun’s energy through the use of solar panels on the roof. These convert the sun’s radiation into energy. That energy can be converted to power for use as it is collected or stored for later use via batteries. Solar power is not just for individual home use. Entire towns can have their electricity generated via solar power plants.

Hydropower

Water can be used to generate power through multiple applications. For centuries, waterwheels have been used to power machinery or mills. Hydroelectric dams such as the Hoover Dam produce electricity through the gravitational force of the flow of water. Smaller scale watermills are run by river currents. Tidal and wave power are both applications in development. Tidal power converts the energy of the tide into electricity or other forms of power. An advantage of this is that tidal power is more predictable than either wind or solar power. Wave power uses the renewable energy of ocean surface waves to generate electricity, desalinate, or pump water into reservoirs.

Biomass

Biomass is any biological material living or dead within a recent period of time. This would exclude fossil fuels, as their structure has been changed by geological processes over time. Biomass fuel includes wood or sugarcane. Both of these materials can be replanted and are therefore renewable. Although carbon dioxide is released when they are burned, replants absorb carbon dioxide, netting little or no pollution.

Green power is the only viable solution for the future. As research and development continue on new applications of these green energy sources, we will hopefully soon have the ability to generate the power we need in a clean, renewable way that will be able to carry us well into the future.

Renewable Energy: Sustainable Alternatives for the Future

If you’ve paid a heating bill recently, you know that prices are going nowhere but up. If rising prices don’t scare you, consider that our country’s dependence on fossil fuels may someday leave us in a precarious position when those sources run out. The best solution for our financial future and the future of our planet is to develop sources of renewable energy now. It is matter of urgency to prepare for the future for generations to come.

Renewable energy is derived from sources that are naturally replenished and inherent in the environment, such as sunlight, wind, tidal or wave power, and geothermal heat. Besides renewable energy sources, fossil fuel alternatives include nuclear power and biofuels. Some alternative energy sources raise concerns because they might not be completely harmless when it comes to supporting a clean environment.

As a nation we have allowed ourselves to become dependent on fossil fuels because our society’s infrastructure is dependent on their use. They are still much less expensive to use than renewable energy sources. Also, oil and gas can be stored up, while renewable energy is dependent on the availability of elements like sunshine or wind.

Unfortunately, fossil fuels are non-renewable because they take millions of years to form and are being depleted much faster than new ones can be made. As a nation, most of us realize the danger of relying so heavily upon foreign oil. Without domestic energy sources, we all suffer when global political and economical factors drive home energy prices sky high. Consider that in 1972, only 24% of our country’s oil came from foreign sources. In 2008, that statistic was expected to reach 70% and climb even higher.

As the economy suffers and the need for energy reaches crisis proportions, it is likely that more research and funding will be allocated to developing renewable energy technology. And demand for renewable energy power will eventually cause prices to decrease. The cost of solar and wind power has already come down tremendously in the past few years as new technology has caused their efficiency to increase. As electricity and fossil fuel prices are going up and government incentives are being offered for renewable energy usage, it has never been cheaper to use renewable energy for commercial or residential use. This trend can only continue into the future.

There is all good news considering the development of renewable energy sources. Consider the following as signs of the times. In October of 2008, the U.S. Energy Administration reported that renewable energy production was up 32% from the previous year. Each year from 2000 to 2007, the solar power industry has grown 30%. Despite a depressed housing market, homes equipped with solar energy technology are selling at a much faster rate than homes without.

Today, many companies are exploring new technological possibilities in renewable energy. In fact, many municipalities are already using renewable energy sources without its citizens even realizing it. When these energy sources can power our homes and businesses reliably, efficiently, and economically, we will be well positioned for increasing energy demands into the future.

EforEarth.com does not endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the information and advertisements contained on, linked, downloaded or accessed from any of the products or services presented on this website. In addition, EforEarth.com does not endorse the quality of any products, services, or other materials obtained or purchased by you as a result of an advertisement on this website or in connection with the services on this website. You hereby acknowledge that any reliance upon any information, service and products shall be at your own risk. The information contained on this website is not intended to replace the appropriate professional guidance.